By Tom Prosser  Newport County AFC have bolstered their attacking options with the signing of experienced striker Alex Fisher ahead of their clash with Mansfield on Saturday afternoon.  Fisher becomes County’s 13th addition of the summer window and has put pen-to-paper on a contract that will see him remain at Rodney Parade until 2022.

By Tom Prosser Joe Day is delighted to be back at Newport County and after making so many memories during his first spell at the club, he is now excited to create many more new ones with Michael Flynn’s men. The goalkeeper made nearly 250 appearances for Newport before joining Cardiff City two years ago. He found game-time hard to come by at Cardiff and was sent out on loan to both AFC Wimbledon and Bristol Rovers but he insists he returns to Rodney Parade as better goalkeeper.

Michael Flynn had his faith in 42-year-old striker Kevin Ellison rewarded with an opening day 1-0 victory at Oldham. County experienced late delight in Sky Bet League Two as Ellison’s goal handed them a gritty away win in his 24th season of professional football. It was his 160th goal. The hosts were without five key men due to Covid-19 protocols as well as injuries and lacked the necessary spark up top in the absence of Dylan Bahamboula and Hallam Hope.

Newport County will be looking to ease the pain of their play-off final heartbreak by getting their new season off to the perfect start when they travel to Oldham on Saturday afternoon.  Michael Flynn’s side were condemned to another season in League Two after Morecambe were awarded a controversial penalty in extra-time of their clash at Wembley just over two months ago. Since then, Flynn has had a big rebuilding job to do, he has signed 12 new players to replace the 16 that have left. 

By Tom Prosser It may be the start of a new season for Newport County but once again the Rodney Parade pitch is not making things easy for Michael Flynn’s men. The playing surface is currently being re-laid at Rodney Parade and the work is taking longer than first planned. County now as a result face at least five consecutive away matches when also taking into account their League Cup match against Ipswich.

Look who’s back! The Football League kicks off the new season on Friday night when West Bromwich Albion travel to Bournemouth. Cardiff City, Swansea City and Newport County are all in action for the first time on Saturday. So, what to expect from 2021-22? Fraser Watson suggests managerial experience of a particular league, on its own, is over-rated when it’s stacked against a whole load of other demands. In the immediate aftermath of Steve Cooper leaving Swansea City, a development seemingly inevitable and yet so untimely, discussion amongst supporters soon turned to his likely successor. Indeed, a mere hour or so after a club statement confirmed the departure, I sat in a golf clubhouse with three other regular hackers, who – perhaps oblivious to the financial constraints at the Liberty Stadium – banded about the predictable names.

By Tom Prosser Cardiff City beat Newport County 2-0 on Saturday as both clubs completed their pre-season fixtures with the new season now just days away. Joe Ralls scored the opening goal with a stunning strike from outside the box and former Newport loanee Mark Harris scored with a neat finish from close range after some good work by the impressive Ryan Giles. The Bluebirds and the Exiles will begin their league fixtures on Saturday against Barnsley and Oldham respectively.

By Rob Carbon The difficult task of replacing Josh Sheehan and Joss Labadie at the heart of the Newport County midfield next season is now starting to take shape. Manager, Michael Flynn will be hoping that Congolese international Christopher Missilou is the man to fill that void.  The 28-year-old has signed a one-year deal earlier this month after being among 13 players let go by relegated Swindon Town and will bring with him a wealth of Football League, as well as current international, experience to Rodney Parade.  

By Rob Carbon Michael Flynn may have been linked with the vacant manager’s job at Swindon Town, but he is wasting no time in making preparations for Newport County as they look to go one better and secure promotion out of League Two next season. The Exiles are scheduled to play five pre-season friendlies against EFL and Non-League opposition before the new season gets underway, with County’s campaign set to kick-off with a Sky Bet League Two first-round match on Saturday 7th August. All five fixtures will be played in line with the Government’s guidelines due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Michael Flynn has hinted he could be on the move from Newport County following their heart-breaking Wembley play-off defeat to Morecambe. The Newport boss has admitted to unhappiness after learning the club intend to appoint a sporting director to work either over or alongside him. Flynn suggested he could have reached the end of the road after County’s crushing 1-0 extra-time loss that denied them a place in League One.

Newport County’s golden oldies Kevin Ellison and Nicky Maynard plan to prove themselves the patron saints of the written off and rejected when they grace Wembley today. The senior strike partnership have a combined age of 76, but Morecambe would be wise to respect their elders when they face the pair in the League Two play-off final. Ellison – the bald Scouser who was dumped by Morecambe boss Derek Adams – became a hero to every middle-aged bloke in the land when the 42-year-old scored a brilliant goal in the second leg of County’s semi-final against Forest Green Rovers.

As the song says, we all need somebody to lean on. Newport County manager Michael Flynn had Lennie Lawrence whose wisdom could prove the foundation for play-off success at Wembley on Monday against Morecambe. Rob Cole spoke to him. Lennie Lawrence used to sit just behind Michael Flynn in the Newport County dug out and offer pearls of wisdom as and when required. But on Bank Holiday Monday, he will be sitting in the posh seats at Wembley with the club’s directors, casting an affectionate eye over the work of a manager he has grown to admire.